I know, this seems unreal, but PLX Devices has announced an accessory called the Xwave or the iPhone (actually, all iOS Devices) which allows you to control and monitor your brain waves and interact with your iPhone using them, With your brain, people!
Using Neurosky technology, which apparently on the forefront of brain – computer interfacing, they have their own line of headsets and games for PCs. PLX has created a headset that can read your brain thoughts, and translate that into actual actions on your iPhone. Xwave has a free iPhone App that tests your ability to relax, or focus, move a ball or change its colours (Don’t be confused by the picture below, the ‘ball’ is entirely virtual inside the App).
While that seems to be the extent of its usefulness (or lack thereof) now, they’re opening up their API to allow other developers to come up with other Apps that use this info so, presumably, there will be a whole host of ‘Brain Apps’ flooding the iTunes store once this product is out, in October. It’s not even priced crazy high, at $99 USD.
Yesterday’s live streamed Apple iPod Event was seen by a lot of people, yet the stream held up except for a few choppy bits during the new iTV demo. It was really interesting to hear about the announcements made yesterday, so this post will include “musings” over the updates released today and some info you need to know. Let’s get started!
iOS Updates By The Numbers
- 6.5 billion App Store downloads (Steve made an error and said 6 billion apps hehe)
- 120 million iOS devices shipped
- 230,000 new iOS activations per day
- The exponential growth of App Store downloads are mind boggling.
- It seems like more and more iOS devices are taking over the world. App Developers have more incentive than ever to create that “must have” app.
iOS 4.2 Coming in November for iDevices (iOS 4.1 was just seeded to developers)
- Apple previously mentioned that iOS 4 would be coming to the iPad in the Fall. They weren’t lying, but I expected it to arrive earlier
- Printing from the iPad is finally here
- iOS 4.1 is coming next week with new features: HDR photos, Gamecenter, iTunes Ping
- I can’t wait to try HDR photography and Gamecenter.
- Bug fixes: Bluetooth, proximity sensor, iPhone 3G.
- It’s about time these fixes will be addressed, especially iPhone 3G users who have experienced major slowdowns with iOS 4.
- iTunes Ping
New iPod Shuffle with VoiceOver
- New design–buttons are back!
- 2GB for $59CDN; 15 hour battery life
- Colors: silver, blue, green, orange and pink
- I find it hilarious that buttons are back. This is still an amazing price point for people to buy their “first” Apple product.
- This is definitely a “niche” item. It is perfect for those going to the gym or a jog since the thing is so tiny and has a built in clip.
These look tasty!
New iPod Nano with Multitouch
- Newly designed iPod Nano loses the video camera and buttons.
- Looks like a larger iPod Shuffle! No buttons–hold down one finger to get to homescreen. Innovative. Apple hates buttons!
- The two finger screen rotate was pretty cool.
- Prices start at $159CDN for 8GB model; it’s like paying $100 more for a touchscreen, FM radio, and pedometre. New clip is nice.
- The Nano looks like the face of the upcoming iWatch. Touchscreen interface on a such a tiny screen will only go so far.
The smallest multitouch screen ever?
New iPod Touch with Retina Display, HD Recording/FaceTime, A4 Processor
Yesterday at the annual Apple music event, Apple released the latest iTunes 10. The new iTunes should be available later today on a PC/Mac via Apple Software Update or from Apple’s website.
All New iTunes 10
The new iTunes 10 update brings a new iTunes application icon, a few interface enhancements, and a new social media initiative called “Ping”.
The biggest change was the new iTunes Ping social media network which is open to 160 million iTunes users instantly. Ping is a social network for music, like FaceBook and Twitter, where users can follow and be followed and music recommendations can be passed around.
Users can also upload videos and photos all from within iTunes and Ping is further accessible on iPhone and iPod touch.
As usual, if you’re jailbroken or plan to jailbreak, it is best to avoid the iTunes 10 update until further notice.
Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs showed off “one more hobby” Wednesday, with a newly redesigned Apple TV that costs less than half of the price of its predecessor — $99.
The new Apple TV has a built-in power supply, HDMI, optical audio, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi, all packed into a device that is a quarter of the size of the previous generation hardware.
“It’s a fourth the size,” Jobs said. “You can hold it in the palm of your hand.”
Features
The CEO said that the new Apple TV does away with concerns of storage, as it is based on a rental model rather than purchasing. Users can rent first-run HDTV movies for $4.99, while single episodes of TV shows in HD will be available for 99 cents from Fox and ABC.
“We think the rest of the studios will see the light and get on board pretty fast,” Jobs said.
Users can also stream content from an iOS device running version 4.2 or later. Jobs demonstrated streaming the movie “Up,” instantly from an iPad over Wi-Fi.
The new Apple TV also offers access to Netflix streaming, YouTube videos, and photos from Flickr. Content can also be streamed from a Mac or PC, and from a MobileMe account. The new Apple TV will ship later this month.
Other features, according to Apple, include:
- Silent, cool, and small: The new Apple TV is quiet, energy efficient, and so small it fits just about anywhere.
- Less clutter with HDMI: Play audio and video though a single HDMI connection.
- Apple Remote included: Control Apple TV with the sleek, aluminum Apple Remote.
- Integration: Includes access to Netflix, Flickr, Rotten Tomatoes, and MobileMe.
- Photos, music and videos: View your own content on the new Apple TV. And stream content wirelessly via an iOS 4.2 or later device using the new AirPlay technology.
- Remote app for iPhone or iPod touch . Remote uses the same easy-to-use interface you already use to browse music and video on your Multi-Touch device. So right away, you know how to navigate. If you want to find something specific, use your device’s QWERTY keyboard to quickly tap out the title instead of clicking letters on the Apple TV screen.
“The new Apple TV, paired with the largest selection of online HD movie and TV show rentals, lets users watch Hollywood content on their HD TV whenever they want,” Jobs said in a press release. “This tiny, silent box costing just $99 lets users watch thousands of HD movies and TV shows, and makes all of their music, photos and videos effortlessly available on their home entertainment system.”
Environmental Status Report:
- BFR-free
- PVC-free (internal cables and components)
- Meets ENERGY STAR Version 2.0 requirements for set-top boxes
Processor: Apple A4 chip
System requirements:
- AirPort Extreme, Wi-Fi 802.11b, g, or n wireless network (wireless video streaming requires 802.11g or 802.11n) or 10/100BASE-T Ethernet network
- iTunes Store account for renting movies and TV shows
- Netflix account for streaming Netflix content
- For streaming media from a Mac or PC: iTunes 10 or later; iTunes Store account for Home Sharing
Ports and interfaces:
- HDMI2
- Optical audio
- 10/100BASE-T Ethernet
- Built-in IR receiver
- Micro-USB (for service and support)
Environmental requirements:
- Operating temperature: 32° to 95° F (0° to 35° C)
- Storage temperature: -4° to 113° F (-20° to 45° C)
- Relative humidity: 5% to 95% noncondensing
- Maximum operating altitude: 10,000 feet (3000 m)
Power: Built-in 6-watt universal power supply
Wireless: 802.11n Wi-Fi (a/b/g compatible), 2.4GHz and 5GH
Yesterday morning at Apple’s September music event, the company announced iOS 4.1 for iPhone and iPod touch and also previewed iOS 4.2 for iPad.
iOS 4.1
The first thing that was announced is that all of the bugs have been fixed!
That includes the proximity sensor on the iPhone 4, Bluetooth bugs across the iPod touch and iPhone, and lastly the much talked about iPhone 3G performance issues have been fixed.
HDR
iOS 4.1 is also delivering a new feature called High Dynamic Range Photos (HDR).
HDR is a new camera-based feature where the device camera takes three photos at the same time when taking a photo of something. The three photos taken are a under-exposure, normal, and over-exposure photo.
When these three photos are taken, the three are then combined to make the best quality photo. What this does for photos is increase/reduce shadow or brightness and reveals much more detail in the photos.
HD Video & Game Center
iOS 4.1 is also delivering HD video uploading over WiFi to YouTube for example and also the new Game Center.
Game Center is Apple’s version of Microsoft’s Xbox Live where users can play multiplayer games, challenge friends, compare scores, and be matched against anyone of similar skill in a game.
Availability
iOS 4.1 is available for iPhone and iPod touch as a free download next week.
iOS 4.2
During this morning’s event Apple also provided a sneak peek of iOS 4.2!
iOS 4.2 is available for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad but the real focus is for iPad. Essentially, iOS 4.2 is bringing every single feature of iOS 4.1, such as folders and multitasking, to the iPad that the iPad can support.
Printing
iOS 4.2 is also bringing wireless printing to the iPad in the form of “Print Center”. Just like on a Mac/PC, users can view their print jobs, cancel them, and manage them right from the iPad.
AirPlay
For all three iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad, iOS 4.2 is bringing a feature called “AirPlay” which is a renamed AirTunes but can stream photos and videos along with audio to your AppleTV from an iDevice over WiFi.
Availability
iOS 4.2 is available for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad as a free download in November 2010.
I feel this!! Daniel and my phone has been acting up since upgrading! No worries, iPhone 4 tomorrow!!
Back when we outlined the iOS 4 features missing from iPhone 3G, we forgot one key bullet point: performance. As more and more two-year veterans of Apple’s phones have taken the plunge and upgraded to the latest firmware, slowdown and battery drain issues have become a common complaint, which is even more irksome when you think of just how little the update really adds to the UI. The Wall Street Journal reports speaking to anApple spokesperson who said the company is looking into the matter. That doesn’t necessarily mean a fix is coming anytime soon, but hey, at least you can hold the darn thing however you want
Wal Mart has already received their shipment!!!
Following reports that Apple began rejecting App Store software with “minimum user functionality,” the iPhone maker has now set its sights on applications that employ a “cookie cutter” formula.
As detailed by TechCrunch, Apple has recently started cracking down on submissions to the App Store that are just “basic applications.” These apps are “little more than RSS feeds or glorified business cards.”
“In short, Apple doesn’t want people using native applications for things that a basic web app could accomplish,” the report said.
The issue has primarily been with iPhone applications built with “templates” that are available from a number of software generating services. Medialets CEO Eric Litman said the change in policy plays into Apple’s desire to control the user experience.
“Apple wants iPhone apps to be superior to Web experiences because they are extremely sticky and drive people specifically to buy the iPhone over competing smartphone platforms,” Litman said. “Apps that are too simple or largely indistinguishable from the Web, other apps or particularly other apps on other platforms send the message to end users that the iPhone app ecosystem might not be particularly special.”
But the report noted that Apple has also worked with developers like Appmakr, which helped to make content from The Atlantic available as an application, to add features like in-app purchases, instant notifications, offline access and more.
It’s yet another change in policy for Apple regarding the App Store. Last week, some developers said the company began removing applications the Cupertino, Calif., handset maker felt provided “minimum user functionality,” such as one that simply quacked like a duck.
Apple also removed software it felt contained content that was “overtly sexual,” resulting in a purge of more than 5,000 applications from the App Store.
In addition, a number of Wi-Fi scanners were also recently removed from the App Store, though they allegedly relied on unpublished APIs within the iPhone OS software development kit, breaking the terms set forth by Apple for developers.
Apple co-founder Steve Jobs revealed after Wednesday’s iPad unveiling that the device will offer “the same” prices on e-books as Amazon’s Kindle, the Pages app can export documents in Microsoft Word format, and it will offer nearly 6 days of continuous music playback.
The conversation between Walt Mossberg, of The Wall Street Journal, and Jobs was captured on video by BoomTown’s Kara Swisher. Mossberg asked Jobs why customers would want to purchase books for the iPad, when they were rumored to cost between $13 and $15 while Amazon charges $9.99. Jobs responded by saying, “the prices will be the same.”
“Publishers are actually withholding their books from Amazon, because they’re not happy with it,” Jobs added. The comment carried a different tone from his keynote, when Jobs complimented Amazon for pioneering the e-book market with the Kindle.
Mossberg also asked Jobs if he should write his review of the iPad in the Pages application, which will cost $9.99 in the App Store. The journalist said he would need to save it as a Microsoft Word document, though, because his editors “don’t know anything about Pages.”
Jobs told Mossberg that the mobile version of Pages would allow him to save the file as a Microsoft Word document.
“Write it in Pages, you could make a Word version and send it to your editors,” Jobs said.
Mossberg also inquired about battery life on the iPad, and Jobs revealed the device will offer “140-something hours” of continuous music playback with the screen off, or nearly six days.
“It’s all about the display,” the Apple co-founder said of battery life. “Our chips don’t use hardly any power.”
As for the device’s uptime when reading e-books, Jobs said he believes the 10 hours provided will be more than enough for most users. He discredited Mossberg’s suggestion that a backlit LCD display, versus the e-ink on the Amazon Kindle, produces a “battery cost.”
“You know, there isn’t,” Jobs said. “Because you just end up plugging it in. You end up docking it or whatever you’re going to do with it. It’s not a big deal. Ten hours is a long time. Because you’re not going to read for 10 hours.”
The iPad has a 9.7-inch LCD display that features IPS technology. The Hitachi-developed feature allows improved viewing angles and superior color reproductions on screens.
One of the best features about the iPad is the hi-def display, accelerometer, and touchscreen combo, which makes it perfect for playing games. During the hands-on portion of the Apple presentation yesterday, a blogger got a chance to check out a few minutes of Assassins Creed on the iPad. She says firsthand that the video quality is amazing, and even better is that you control the characters with a pair of virtual joysticks — one for each thumb. Check out the video below to see how it works.
With an aggressive $499 starting price point, Wall Street analysts believe Apple’s e-reading, game playing, media consuming iPad device is a worthwhile risk that will become a multi-million seller in its first year.
Across the board Thursday, analysts were bullish in their reactions to Apple’s newly announced multi-touch iPad. First-year sales predictions range from 1 million to 4 million, with potential for growth even further as the market expands and further iterations of the product improve.
Analyst Charlie Wolf with Needham & Company called the iPad “another winner,” noting that the device’s true potential will not be realized until developers create new software for it on the Apple App Store.
“Apple is a company willing to take risks and define new categories of products,” Wolf said. “The iPad is not a revolutionary product. But it has the potential to become one once the creative juices of content providers are unleashed.”
Acknowledging that reaction from the tech community has not been particularly enthusiastic, analyst Mike Abramsky with RBC Capital Markets quipped that “not everyone initially liked the Ten Commandments either — but they endured.”
Analyst Shaw Wu noted the $130 premium for the 3G-connected iPad could be a deterrent for potential buyers. He believes the Wi-Fi only version of the hardware could ultimately prove to be the best seller.
In addition to hardware price, Wu said 3G speeds are typically too slow for primary Web browsing. Plus, he said consumers will likely be reluctant to buy an additional data plan if they already have one with a smartphone.
“We see iPad as a new product category that is superior as a shared device in a group setting (such as a living room or meeting) or as an ultra-portable computer,” Wu wrote. “Sure, there could be some cannibalization, but it doesn’t quite replicate the functionality or for m factor of either device.”
The analyst had hands-on time with the device and came away impressed. Wu did not forecast first-year sales, but noted that supply chain checks indicate Apple intends to build 5 million units in its first 12 months, and as many as 10 million units in its second year.
Wolf has taken a long-view with the iPad, noting that the iPod and iPhone both got off to relatively slow starts before they experienced explosive growth. But the iPad has an advantage, he said, due to its access to more than 140,000 applications on the App Store.
Because Apple is defining a new category of devices, sales of the iPad are likely to ramp slowly,” Wolf said. “But the $500 starting price point is low enough to attract a sizable portion of the early adopter crowd, consisting of iPhone and iPod owners.
“It’s noteworthy that the iPad’s initial price is below the iPhone’s initial price and not much higher than the price of the first iPod, introduced in 2001. Our best guess at this time is the Apple could sell four million iPads in its initial year on the market, which translates into at least $2 billion of revenue.”
Initial plans are for the iPad to only be sold through Apple’s online and retail stores. However, Wolf said he would expect the device to see wider availability in the future.
Analyst Yair Reiner noted that although the iPad was revealed in a presentation that lasted over an hour, its true use and potential will take some time to be realized.
“It won’t happen overnight,” he said, “but in time, we believe that what looks today like a big iPhone or amputated netbook or a souped-up photo frame will be revealed as a revolutionary new media device.”
Analyst Brian Marshall said he believes Apple “surpassed expectations” with the iPad reveal. He had initially forecast 2.2 million shipments in the first year, but said he now believes “an order of magnitude higher number is likely more accurate.”
Marshall said he did not fully appreciate the iPad until he had a hands-on demo with it.
“While we were impressed with the specs during the briefing given by Mr. Jobs, it was not until we actually used the iPad for ~15 minutes we were convinced this will be another grand slam product for AAPL,” he said. “The ergonomics and ‘media’ experience of the device (i.e. Internet browsing, e-reading and watching videos on the 9.7″ screen) stood out the most to us.”
Abramsky said the $629 starting price for the 3G-enabled iPad, along with an absence of what he called “hoped-for features,” may leave some investors skeptical of the iPad — but they shouldn’t be.
“With iPad, Apple creates a revolutionary e-reading, browsing, media, gaming experience,” Abramsky wrote to investors Thursday. “Newspapers, Web pages, books ‘come alive’ with video, animation, color and fullscreen touch.”
He did note that the lack of Verizon compatibility, absence of a camera, and inability to multitask were disappointing. But Abramsky believes the simplicity of the iPad will be its greatest strength.
He has forecast first-year sales of 5 million, adding 30 cents earnings per share to AAPL stock with an average iPad selling price of $600.
He noted that Apple doesn’t do cheap, it does different, and the $499 competitive price of the iPad will be a strength to kickstart the platform. He also has high expectations for the iBooks app and its accompanying iBookstore.
“Taking a page out of its own playbook, we see no reason why the new iPad+iBookstore can’t do for print media what iPod+iTunes did for music,” he said, “while we think gaming also holds potential as a long-term homerun.”
Taken from GeekSugar
- Multitasking: As I’ve learned during my iPhone vs. Droid series, pretty much everyone else can run multiple apps at the same time except for me and my iPhone. Yes, I can play songs via the iPod and run other apps, but I’d love to, for example, queue up Pandora while checking my email.
- Ports: I think we’ve been down this road before. Does the name MacBook Air ring a bell? With only one connector port and a headphone jack, the iPad is a connectivity nightmare, since you’ll have to buy adapters for everything from USB to SD cards. Not to mention that you’re restricted to a wireless-only connection without an Ethernet port.
- Camera: For me, this is a biggie. If I’m supposed to share the iPad with my family, or use it as a secondary computer, at least give me the functionality of some of your best Mac features: video iChat and Photobooth. Not to mention new and developing augmented reality apps that require the use of a camera. Hello, Google Goggles?! I want that on my iPad.
- Flash Support: Too bad the iPad doesn’t support flash, because we’ll all be missing out on some of the great content and websites out there nowadays that are flash-based. Oh, and Hulu? Forget about it.
- A Stylus: I think the iPad would be an amazing creative force for artists to churn out great comics, drafts, sketches, and so on, but without a stylus to do detailed work, the iPad seems more like a toy and less of a legitimate tool.
Read a great hands on review here.
PRICES WITH WIFI ONLY
16GB is 499
32GB IS 599
64GB IS 699
PRICES WITH WIFI AND 3G (3G PLAN SOLD SEPERATELY)
16GB IS 629
32GB IS 729
64GB IS 829
LED-backlit, IPS Display
The high-resolution, 9.7 inch LED-backlit, IPS display on iPad is remarkably crisp and vivid. Which makes it perfect for web browsing, watching movies, or showing off photos. It’s also been designed to work in any orientation — portrait or landscape. And because it uses a display technology called IPS (in-plane switching), it has a wide, 178° viewing angle. So you can hold it almost any way you want, and still get a brilliant picture, with excellent color and contrast.
Multi-Touch
The Multi-Touch screen on the iPad uses the same revolutionary technology that’s in an iPhone. But for iPad, the technology has been completely reengineered for the larger surface, to make it extremely precise and responsive. So when you’re zooming in on a map, flicking through your photos, or deleting an email, iPad responds with incredible accuracy. And it does just what you want it to.
Thin and light
One of the first things you’ll notice about the iPad is how thin and light it is. The screen is 9.7 inches, measured diagonally. So overall, it’s slightly smaller than a magazine. And at just 1.5 lbs and 0.5 inches thin,1 it’s easy to carry and use anywhere. There’s also a slight curve to the back. Which makes it easy to pick up and comfortable to hold.
Up to 10 hours battery life
To maximize battery life, Apple engineers took the same lithium polymer battery technology they developed for our notebook computers and applied it to the iPad. As a result, you can use iPad for up to 10 hours while surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching videos, or listening to music.2
Wireless
With built-in 802.11n, iPad can take advantage of the fastest Wi-Fi networks. And it’ll automatically locate available Wi-Fi networks, which you can easily join with a few simple taps. iPad also comes with Bluetooth 2.1 with EDR, which lets you connect to devices like wireless headphones or the Apple Wireless Keyboard.
3G
iPad will also be available in a 3G model, with super-fast data speeds up to 7.2 Mbps.3 So if you’re traveling, or you happen to be somewhere that doesn’t have a Wi-Fi network, you can still get a fast connection for surfing the web, downloading email, or getting directions.
Performance
The A4 chip inside iPad was custom-designed by Apple engineers to be extremely powerful, and yet extremely power efficient. So the performance is unlike anything you’ve ever seen on a touch-based device. Which makes iPad fantastic for everything from productivity apps to games. But at the same time, the A4 chip is so power efficient that it helps iPad get up to 10 hours of battery life on a single charge. And iPad is available with a choice of 16, 32 or 64GB flash storage.4 Which gives you lots of room for your photos, movies, music, apps, and more.
Connectivity
The 30-pin dock connector on the bottom of the iPad allows you to dock and charge it. It also lets you connect to iPad accessories like the Camera Connection Kit or the Keyboard Dock.
Audio
The powerful, built-in speaker produces a full, rich sound. Which makes watching a movie or listening to music even more enjoyable. It also comes with a headphone jack and a built-in microphone.
Accessories
There are lots of great accessories that have been specifically designed for iPad. The Keyboard Dock, for instance, is a dock with a full-size keyboard. There’s also a standalone Dock. And because iPad has built-in Bluetooth 2.1, it’ll work with an Apple Wireless Keyboard, too. There’s also a Camera Connection Kit that lets you import photos from a camera or SD card. There’s even an iPad Case that not only protects it, it also allows you to use iPad in various positions, to make it easy to type, look at photos, or watch movies. And through a range of accessories, iPad can output to TVs, projectors and displays. Learn more about iPad accessories in Tech Specs
As if your iPhone wasn’t useful enough, add one more thing it can do to streamline your life: control your TV. Debuting at this week’s CES convention in Las Vegas, L5 Technology is unveiling its app and attachment that turns your iPhone or iPod Touch into a universal remote that controls your TV, DVD player, stereo system, and cable box, among others. Just download the free app, drag and drop your preferred features into the remote, attach the $50 adapter to your iPhone or iPod Touch, and you’re on your way. The good news is that the adapter doesn’t require a WiFi connection and can work at up to 30 feet away from your home theater components. The L5 Remote attachment and app will be available for purchase in February.
The ex-president of Google China has revealed on his microblog supposed details on Apple’s forthcoming tablet: 10.1-inch screen with webcam, “awesome UI.”
Kaifu Lee, former president of Google China, someone with supposed close ties to Apple, has revealed several details about Apple’s tablet on his microblog (translation from Gadget Mix):
“The Apple Tablet looks like a bigger iPhone that sports an awesome UI packed in a beautiful 10.1-inch screen. The tablet combines the functions of both netbook and kindle, an ebook reader. It has virtual keyboard for text entry and a webcam for video conferencing.”
This falls in line with recently reported details on the tablet. Earlier in December analyst Yair Reiner of Oppenheimer predicted that the device would have a 10.1-inch multi-touch display using the same technology as the iPhone. He also stated that Apple has been reaching out to book publishers in order to strengthen the position of the tablet as an ebook platform.
AppleInsider reported earlier last week that Apple had plans for a virtual keyboard with a dynamic surface that would give users tactile feedback when typing in order to identify individual keys. Supporting the idea of a “bigger iPhone,” iPhone developers were reportedly asked to prepare their apps for a demo next month by making them support full-screen resolutions rather than the fixed 320×480 resolutions of the iPhone and iPod touch.
All signs point to Apple holding an event focusing on the “mobility space” on January 26 at Yerba Buena Center in San Francisco, where it is believed that the company will finally unveil the tablet to the world.
ugh, gross!
Digitimes’ patchy sources are claiming that OmniVision Technologies—the current manufacturers of the iPhone 3GS’ 3.2-megapixel CMOS image sensor—has won a new contract with Apple to provide the Cupertino company with new sensors for the next-generation 2010 iPhone.
They claim that the new CMOS image sensors are 5 megapixels. OmniVision Technologies say the orders will increase too, from 20-21 million estimated this year, to 40 to 45 million CMOS for the 2010. [Digitimes]
Further fueling a whirlwind of tablet-related speculation Wednesday, some app developers have reportedly been told by Apple to prepare new versions of their software for a “full screen resolution” demo next month.
“Apple is preparing to show off a new, larger mobile device with a higher resolution display in January — probably a version of the Apple tablet we’ve been hearing about for months — according to a plugged-in source in the mobile industry,” Silicon Alley Insider reported Wednesday.
The source reportedly said that developers were asked to prepare their apps for a demo next month by making them support a full-screen resolution, rather than the fixed 320×480 pixel size of the iPhone and iPod touch screen. The source said applications that can accommodate the larger screen size will run “just fine” on the new device.
The report also alleged that the device will not go on sale in January, but will simply be demoed. It is assumed that Apple wants to give other developers more time to prepare their applications to run on larger screens.
The rumor would suggest that the tablet runs a version of the iPhone OS, as it is alleged to be compatible with existing iPhone and iPod touch apps, albeit at a higher resolution.
The Silicon Alley Insider report was another in a number of tablet-related rumors that cropped up Wednesday. Earlier reports suggested a January unveiling, with mass production expected to start as soon as February. That could put it on track for March release. Another report alleged that Apple was working on a tablet with a 7-inch screen size, contrary to many longstanding claims of a 10-inch screen, though speculation has suggested Apple could release both form factors.
Various publications have connected the tablet and its anticipated formal announcement with two recent moves by Apple: the purchase of music streaming service Lala, which is expected to result in an overhaul of the iTunes service, and the company’s alleged negotiations with CBS and Walt Disney to allow a TV subscription plan. The tablet is expected to be portrayed as a multimedia device capable of browsing the Web, watching movies, and reading content.
Various publishers have prepared for the tablet, even though it has not been officially announced. But numerous rumors have indicated that Apple hasreached out to various print publications about providing their content on a new form factor.
